Obesity

Obesity

1. Definition:

Obesity is a medical condition characterized by an excess amount of body fat. It is a chronic disease that can lead to various health problems.

2. Causes / Etiology: Obesity is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Some of the main causes include:

• Genetic predisposition (family history)
• Sedentary lifestyle (lack of physical activity)
• Unhealthy diet (consumption of high-calorie foods)
• Stress and emotional eating
• Certain medical conditions (hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome)
• Medications (steroids, certain antidepressants)

3. Types or Classification: There are three main types of obesity:

• Class I Obesity: BMI (Body Mass Index) 30-34.9

• Class II Obesity: BMI 35-39.9

• Class III Obesity: BMI 40 or higher

• Also, obesity can be classified into two categories:

• Visceral obesity: Excess fat around the abdominal area

• Subcutaneous obesity: Excess fat under the skin

4. Pathology: Obesity is a complex condition that involves multiple systems and organs. The process of obesity can be explained as follows:

Step 1 → Consuming high-calorie foods and drinks leads to an increase in glucose and insulin levels. Step 2 → Insulin resistance develops, making it difficult for glucose to enter cells. Step 3 → Pancreas produces more insulin to compensate, leading to an increase in insulin levels. Step 4 → Insulin promotes the storage of fat in adipose tissue, leading to an increase in body weight. Step 5 → Excess fat leads to inflammation and oxidative stress in various organs, including the liver, pancreas, and heart.

5. Clinical Features: General features:

• Excess body fat
• Difficulty losing weight
• Shortness of breath
• Joint pain
• Fatty liver

Specific features:

• In children: Failure to thrive, poor appetite, and delayed development
• In adults: Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and osteoarthritis

6. Complications: Acute complications:

• Respiratory problems (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Cardiovascular problems (heart attack, stroke)
• Kidney disease
• Gastrointestinal problems (gallstones, pancreatitis)

Chronic complications:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Hypertension
• High cholesterol
• Osteoarthritis
• Certain types of cancer (breast, colon, kidney)

7. Diagnosis / Investigations: Routine tests:

• BMI calculation
• Waist circumference measurement
• Blood pressure measurement
• Blood glucose measurement

Special tests:

• Lipid profile
• Liver function tests
• Pancreatic function tests
• Sleep study
• Bone density test

8. Management: General management:

• Dietary changes (reducing calorie intake)
• Increased physical activity (aerobic exercises, strength training)
• Weight loss goals (gradual weight loss, 0.5-1 kg per week)
• Behavioral changes (keeping a food diary, seeking support)

Modern treatment:

• Medications (orlistat, liraglutide)
• Bariatric surgery ( gastric bypass, gastric sleeve)
• Intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI)

Dietary advice:

• Eating a balanced diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grains)
• Avoiding processed and high-calorie foods
• Increasing fiber intake
• Staying hydrated

9. Homeopathic Therapeutics: Some of the main remedies for obesity include:

• 1. Lycopodium:

• Bulky and difficult to digest food

• Bloating and gas

• Weight gain due to poor digestion

• Use when the individual is a "bulky" person with poor digestion

• 2. Ignatia:

• Emotional eating due to stress and anxiety

• Weight gain due to emotional eating

• Use when the individual is an "emotional eater" with stress and anxiety

• 3. Pulsatilla:

• Weight gain due to hormonal imbalance

• Bloating and water retention

• Use when the individual has a hormonal imbalance

• 4. Calcarea phosphorica:

• Weight gain due to poor bone health

• Osteoporosis

• Use when the individual has poor bone health

• 5. Nux vomica:

• Weight gain due to poor digestion and bloating

• Bloating and gas

• Use when the individual has poor digestion and bloating